While a Honda's interior might look pristine when you buy it, the quality of the materials reveals itself in just a short time, showing signs of age after just a few years. And the seating arrangement isn’t really doing any favors for your back, either.
Even if you upgrade your upholstery to leather or get the high-end infotainment option, you aren’t getting anything much better for your money. Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and it may be worth it to buy a better car if you want to keep it around for the next ten years.
Out of all their vehicles, their trucks are perhaps priced the worst. In particular, the Honda Ridgeline, which is only a compact pickup, costs almost the same as a full-size Ford or Chevy Silverado.
For the price of one Honda Ridgeline, you could buy two Ford Mavericks – Ford’s compact pickup truck that also comes with a hybrid powertrain. Honda trucks just aren’t worth your money.
Many critics argue that handling isn't always a strong suit. Compared to certain competitors, Hondas often prioritize a smoother, more comfortable ride over a sharp, sporty performance. That makes Hondas a lot less fun to drive, ultimately creating an inhibiting experience.
Also, as a result of Honda’s tunning, steering is less responsive than sportier options. This can make it feel less precise or responsive during sharp maneuvers.
Off-road capability has never been one of Honda’s strengths, and most of its vehicles, including its truck, the Honda Ridgeline, are not well-suited for off-roading.
Arguably, the only decent vehicle with at least some off-road abilities is the Honda Pilot, and that’s pushing it. We’d still hardly call it an off-road vehicle.
To make matters worse, Honda trucks are useless for towing. The Ridgeline, the only truck in the Honda lineup, has a towing capacity of just 5,000 pounds.
With a towing capacity that light, expect to tow only a small trailer or maybe a small boat – or a jet ski. Anything bigger, and you’ll be pushing the Ridgeline past its limits.
Honda vehicles have long been lauded for their reliability and practicality. As such, they have a higher resale value than other vehicles. That’s not always a good thing if you plan to keep your car. For thieves, Honda’s resale value means they can make a quick buck.
In particular, the Honda Civic and Honda Accord are among the most commonly stolen cars on the market. Combined with a high production number and availability of parts, if you drive a Honda, you could be a target for theft.
Across their lineup, Honda vehicles can sometimes feel homogenous. Similarities in design elements between sedans, SUVs, and even minivans can lead to a sense of generic blandness, especially when parked next to all-new models from competitors.
Part of the reason is that vehicles like the RAV4 have been using the same basic design for the past ten years, with very few distinctions between model years. Their flagship cars, the Civic and the Accord, also look the same.
Honda has replaced nearly every V6 engine in its lineup with a turbocharged four-cylinder. While this is done for efficiency and better gas mileage, the result is a vehicle that struggles to keep up with traffic.
Their weaker engines have compromised the driver experience, and now Hondas are just riding on the coattails of their brand name. They are certainly no fun to drive.
Trying to keep the cost of production low, Honda offers customers inferiority in terms of the more technological aspects of its cars.
From clunky infotainment systems to missing features that have become a standard in most other models, Honda has been cutting costs where it can, charging customers more for better technology, or throwing it out the window altogether.
One area of concern has been the electrical components that control the infotainment system and other features. These issues can manifest in various ways, such as flickering screens, unresponsive buttons, or even complete system failures.
Another concern is electrical problems related to the battery or alternator. A failing battery can lead to difficulty starting the car, while alternator problems can prevent the battery from being properly charged, causing a range of electrical issues.
As practical as they may be for some families, the Honda crossover lineup looks seriously dated at this point. The Honda CR-V and HR-V, especially, look almost like minivans.
If you love minivans, that’s great, but the crossover design has changed radically among competitors, and Honda has been using the same design for its vehicles for almost a decade. On top of that, it offers pretty much the same lackluster performance as its sedans.
You used to be able to get a car like the Honda Civic for around $20K in recent years or a Honda Fit for even less. But now, the Honda Fit has been discontinued and the Honda Civic costs over $25K.
Honda’s no longer offer the affordability they offered in the past years. You can find a ton of other options, like the Subaru Impreza or Volkswagen Jetta for a lot less.
For their sedan, cargo space in Honda models, tends to be limited, posing a huge problem for the needs of families. The Civic, for instance, has under 15 cubic feet, while the Chevy Malibu has over 15.
Even many of their SUVs, like the Honda HR-V, are limited in space. For example, the HR-V offers just 55 cubic feet of space, while the Jeep Compass provides nearly 60 cubic feet.
Unlike traditional automatic transmissions with distinct gear shifts, CVTs can feel less engaging to drive and often provide a sluggish experience.
Worse yet, CVT repairs can be more expensive than repairs for traditional automatic transmissions. This is because CVTs are more complex and require specialized knowledge and parts.
While Hondas have a reputation for reliability, those ratings don't always come from years of ownership, and they don’t nearly have the word of mouth and reputation of a Toyota. The truth is that Hondas have many common problems that owners face later on.
For one, transmission failure is a common occurrence and a costly fix that will set you back thousands of dollars. Other problems, such as airbag defects, engine issues, and electrical issues, have been known to occur. And if you live in a hot climate, high temperatures can lead to cracked power steering hoses.
Despite what people would have you believe, Honda has not yet perfected the automobile, and every year, their vehicles have plenty of kinks they need to work out.
In 2023, almost 5 million Honda vehicles were recalled. And things aren’t looking great for the current model year, either. In 2024, over 750,000 vehicles were recalled over an airbag issue – a pretty important safety feature, we’d say.
Honda vehicles, particularly sedans and certain compact SUVs, have been criticized for offering less spacious interiors than some competitors. This can be a significant drawback for taller drivers and passengers who need a little more space.
A cramped interior can make for unpleasant weekend getaways, along with many complaints if there are kids tagging along.
Considering the cramped interiors of the Honda and the lack of cargo space, there aren’t many choices other than the Odyssey that are great options for families.
A Honda might be a decent option for a family of four, or better yet, as a commuter vehicle, but you won’t find it the best option to handle Costco hauls, soccer practice and weekend getaways.
In recent years, especially since COVID-19, Honda has suffered from some inventory problems. That issue, combined with the popularity of certain Honda models, has meant limited availability at Honda dealerships.
Due to the limited availability of many Honda models, many dealerships are marking up the prices, charging buyers more than the MSRP. Shopping for a Honda means you’re less likely to get a great deal.
While many Honda models looked packed with features at first glance, they hold behind a select few, putting them in package deals that can quickly add to your overall cost.
While features like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control might seem like great standard features to get for your money, arguably more useful ones like blind-spot monitoring are saved for a higher-level trim or a package that will add a few thousand more to your final price. It’s a scam!
